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After completing secondary education at school, many students choose to pursue tertiary education at universities. They enroll in a variety of courses that prepare them for their future careers.
To learn about the leading universities in India, be sure to check out this blog post. Here, we will provide you with the list of the top 10 universities in India.
The top 10 universities in India, according to NIRF India, are provided below. All the universities mentioned in this list are famous in the education sector and has produced many successful professionals :-
Year of Establishment :- 1909
The Indian Institute of Science, located in India’s tech capital Bengaluru, is ranked as the No.1 University in India, as per the NIRF India University Ranking 2025. This university’s history dates back to more than a century ago. It was founded in 1909 with support from Jamsetji Tata. As a result, this university is sometimes locally known as the Tata Institute. However, before the Institute even came into existence, Tata unfortunately passed away in 1904.
When IISc first began, it had only two departments namely (i) General and Applied Chemistry, and (ii) Electrical Technology. Today, it has more than 40 departments across six major divisions, including Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Electrical Sciences, Mechanical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Research, and Physical and Mathematical Sciences. The institute also has an additional campus in Challekere. This campus is located in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district.
IISc Bangalore continues to be ranked as India’s top university in a consistent manner because it has a strong focus on research, highly cited academic work and world-class faculty. It is the only Indian institution that regularly appears in the top 200 of the QS World University Rankings. Also, it is listed among the top 100 universities globally for Computer Science by Times Higher Education.
Year of Establishment :- 1969
As per NIRF India University Rankings 2025, Jawaharlal Nehru University is the second best university in India. This university is one of the top 10 universities in Delhi. It was established in 1969 by an Act of Parliament, and is named after India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. JNU has some of the country’s leading faculties. It emphasizes research on social sciences as well as applied sciences.
In 1970, the Indian School of International Studies was merged with Jawaharlal Nehru University. After this merger happened, the word “Indian” was removed from its name, and it became the School of International Studies under Jawaharlal Nehru University. JNU University is ranked 580th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
JNU is highly regarded for its strong research performance as well as excellent academic reputation. It has a diverse and inclusive campus environment. The University Grants Commission has also recognized JNU as a “University of Excellence.” The university is especially known for its focus on postgraduate and Ph.D. research. It consistently performs well in research output.
Year of Establishment :- 1953
Manipal Academy of Higher Education, abbreviated as MAHE, is the third best university in India according to the NIRF India 2025 University Rankings. It is a private deemed university situated in Karnataka’s Udupi district. MAHE has multiple campuses across India, including in Mangaluru, Bengaluru and Jamshedpur.
It also operates international campuses in Dubai and Malaysia. Its sister institutions include Manipal University Jaipur and Sikkim Manipal University. They are managed by the Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG). In 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious “Institute of Eminence” status.
At the global level, the university was placed in the 901-950 range in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and ranked between 801 and 1000 worldwide in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025.
Year of Establishment :- 1920
As per NIRF India ranking 2025 for universities, Jamia Millia Islamia takes the fourth spot in the list of top 10 universities in India. It is located in Okhla, New Delhi, and is a premier central university. It offers various undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programs. It provides a vibrant student life, and is committed to being socially responsible.
For higher education, Jamia Millia Islamia is a well known university throughout the country. It has specialized departments, research centers and a campus that comes with diversity and inclusiveness. The high academic standards of this university is reflected in NIRF ranking.
Its programmes are relatively affordable compared to the private institutions. It has many facilities for students like Dr. Zakir Husain Library and the Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi Sports Complex.
Year of Establishment :- 1922
The University of Delhi, also known as Delhi University, was founded in 1922. It is one of the top 10 universities in India, and ranks as 5th best university in NIRF India Rankings for University 2025. The university’s first chancellor was Hari Singh Gour from 1922 to 1926. In 1937, Sir Maurice Gwyer came to India to take charge as the Chief Justice of British India. During this time, he also became the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delhi.
During his tenure, the university introduced postgraduate programs and set up modern laboratories. Because of his major contributions, Gwyer is often referred to as the “maker of the university.” He served as Vice Chancellor of the university until the year 1950. DU is well known for its strong academic standards. It has a renowned faculty and solid research reputation. It is one of the top 10 universities in India.
The university consistently ranks high in both national and global rankings, including a position of 328th in the QS World University Rankings 2026. It is one of the top 10 government universities in India. It offers affordable education and a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The university has many colleges that offer excellent placement opportunities. It is well known for its lively campus culture with an active political environment and a diverse student community.
Year of Establishment :- 1916
Banaras Hindu University is one of the top 10 universities in Uttar Pradesh, and ranks #6 in the list of top universities in India as per NIRF India 2025 data. It was established more than a century ago in 1916, and was formerly known as the Benares Hindu University.
It is one of the top 10 public universities in India. It is considered as one of the most prestigious universities in India. BHU has over 30,000 students and 18,000 residing on campus, according to Wikipedia. It is Asia’s largest residential university. It is one of the limited public institutions that is declared by the Government of India as the Institute of Eminence.
Banaras Hindu University offers affordable, high quality education to the students. Apart from this, it has 66 hostels. Out of them, 41 hostels are for male students, 21 for female students and 4 for international students.
Year of Establishment :- 1964
The Birla Institute of Technology & Science is one of the top 10 private universities in India, and ranks as the #7 best university as per rankings of NIRF 2025. It was established in 1964 and is a premier deemed university. It is regarded as the Institution of Eminence by the Government of India. Admission to its on-campus programs is entirely merit-based through entrance exams conducted by the institute.
It is one of the few universities in India that does not follow any reservation system in its admissions. While the original campus is in Pilani, BITS has expanded to Goa, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Dubai. With the launch of its Dubai campus, BITS became India’s first internationally deemed university. BITS Pilani is supported by the Aditya Birla Group.
The university receives research funding from industry partners as well as government bodies. It places a strong emphasis on quality education and research in engineering and the sciences for all the students enrolled in courses at the university.
Year of Establishment :- 1994
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is also known as Amrita University. It is a private deemed university with multiple campuses across India. It is one of the top 10 private universities in India. It has 19 schools spread over ten campuses located in Coimbatore, Amritapuri (Kollam), Kochi, Bengaluru, Amaravati, Chennai, Faridabad, Mysore, Nagercoil and Haridwar. The university has received the highest NAAC accreditation grade of A++.
This university was ranked as the 8th best university in India in the NIRF 2025 rankings.
The university is headquartered in Ettimadai, Coimbatore. All its campuses function as part of the same university. Amrita University teaches more than 300 programs at the undergraduate, postgraduate, integrated, dual-degree and doctoral levels to educate students at various levels.
The programs offered by the university cover a wide range of fields like engineering, medicine, management, architecture and planning, natural sciences, Ayurveda and health sciences, social sciences, media and communication, law, fine arts and cultural studies to name a few.
Year of Establishment :- 1906
Jadavpur University is not only one of the top 10 universities in Kolkata. It is also one of the top 10 universities in India, as per 2025 University rankings released by NIRF. This university is a public state funded technical and research university. It was established more than a century ago in 1906. Back then, it was known as Bengal Technical Institute. However, in 1955, this university was converted into Jadavpur University.
The UGC recognizes this university as an institute with Potential for Excellence. It is accredited with an A+ grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council, making it a top tier institution in the country. As a state supported university, this university’s fee is affordable compared to the private universities.
Jadavpur University is one of the top universities for engineering in India. It is often ranked alongside the IITs. It also offers excellent departments for arts and science, apart from the engineering department. Its campus offers a socially active and vibrant culture for the students.
Year of Establishment :- 1875
Aligarh Muslim University is one of the top universities in India. It is located in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. Originally, it was established as the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875, by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. In 1920, this college became Aligarh Muslim University as a result of the Aligarh Muslim University Act. At this university, more than 300 courses pertaining to modern and traditional education branches are taught to students.
It is regarded as an Institute of National Importance. It is also mentioned in the Union List under the Constitution of India’s Seventh Schedule. As per the NIRF India 2025 university rankings, the Aligarh Muslim University is the 10th best university in the country.
The university’s high academic reputation is not something it recently acquired. Its reputation is more than a century old. It offers affordable education while ensuring all the programs are high-quality. The Maulana Azad Library, which is the central library of Aligarh Muslim University, is the largest university library in Asia.
The top 10 universities in India are as follows :- (i) Indian Institute of Science, (ii) Jawaharlal Nehru University, (iii) Manipal Academy of Higher Education (iv) Jamia Millia Islamia, (v) University of Delhi, (vi) Banaras Hindu University, (vii) Birla Institute of Technology & Science (viii) Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, (ix) Jadavpur University and (x) Aligarh Muslim University. They are known for offering high quality education to students and preparing them for successful careers.
In India, a university is usually registered as a trust, society or section 8 company. If you want to set up a university in India, you can connect with our consultants at Registrationwala for assistance!
Q1. What are the top 10 universities in India?
A. According to NIRF India University Rankings 2025, the top 10 universities in India are :- (i) Indian Institute of Science, (ii) Jawaharlal Nehru University, (iii) Manipal Academy of Higher Education (iv) Jamia Millia Islamia, (v) University of Delhi, (vi) Banaras Hindu University, (vii) Birla Institute of Technology & Science (viii) Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, (ix) Jadavpur University and (x) Aligarh Muslim University.
Q2. Which university is the largest residential university in Asia?
A. The Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, is the largest residential university in Asia.
Q3. Which university is the oldest university in the world?
A. The University of Bologna in Bologna, Italy, is widely regarded as the world's oldest university in continuous operation.
Q4. Which university is the best university in India?
A. According to NIRF India rankings 2025, the best university in India is Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.
Q5. Which university’s library is the largest university library in Asia?
A. The Aligarh Muslim University’s library Maulana Azad library is the largest university library in Asia.
Q6. What are the public institutes of eminence in India?
A. The public institutes of eminence are :- (i) Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, (ii) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, (iii) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, (iv) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, (v) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, (vi) University of Delhi, (vii) Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi and (viii) University of Hyderabad
Q7. What are the private institutes of eminence in India?
A. The private institutes of eminence are :- (i) Birla Institute of Technology & Sciences (BITS), Pilani, (ii) Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), (iii) O.P. Jindal Global University and (iv) Jio Institute (Reliance Foundation), Pune (Greenfield Category).
Disclaimer: The university ranking in India provided in this article is based on NIRF India’s university rankings for 2025. These rankings are subject to change in future as the NIRF releases new rankings.
I’m Manish Kumar, a content management specialist. I simplify complex financial and regulatory topics into clear, insightful content. As a regular contributor to the Registrationwala portal, I provide updates on finance, Tax, government schemes, compliance, and other incorporation information. My goal is to keep you informed about key industry developments and their impact.
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